Stress

Addiction

Addictions can take may forms it may be alcohol or drugs but it may also be gambling, shopping, computers, caffine, eating disorders and there are many others. Addictions may start for many reasons and sometimes the reason for them starting is never known.

If you have an addiction or someone in your family does there is much you can do.

Beating Addictions is a good site to research the subject with many experts offering advice and help.

UK Addition Treatment Centres - Available nationally across the UK offering treatment for all addictions including process addiction and dual diagnosis. Working with both the addict and the family.

Alcohol

Alcoholics Anonymous is for those seeking support in coping with alchol dependency or addiction - either your own or someone close to you.

Drugs

FRANK is a comprehensive website on the subject of drugs and has a 24hr helpline 0300 123 6600

Domestic Abuse

There is a whole host of information and guidance on domestic abuse at GOV.UK for members of the armed forces community who are male or female victims, perpetrators looking to change their behaviour, military or civilian practitioners, chain of command or concerned family and friends.

Includes a video clip and lots of other useful places to go for help and support.

However, if you are initially concerned and not sure where to go, contact usstraight away at the RAF Families Federation and we'll make sure you are talking to the right people.

Stress

Stress is the emotional and physical strain caused by our response to pressure from the outside world. It is almost impossible to live without some stress and for most of us a certain amount of stress gives a sense of excitement, incentive and enables us to achieve. If however stress becomes out of control, it may harm our health, relationships and enjoyment of life. Common stress reactions, when things get too much can be mental, such as tension, irritability, inability to concentrate, feeling tired all the time and having trouble sleeping.

We may also suffer physical symptoms such as headache, feeling sick, tightening of muscles which might lead to pain, visiting the toilet frequently. Different reactions vary from person to person.

Over-eating, drinking, smoking, drug abuse and other addictions can be a symptom of stress. They allow a temporary escape, but do not solve the underlying problem. If you are suffering from stress there are many self-help techniques you can try, Google: ‘suffering from stress’, for some ideas to try can try or of course speak to your doctor.

What is Stress

Stress is the feeling of being under too much mental or emotional pressure.

Pressure turns into stress when you feel unable to cope. People have different ways of reacting to stress, so a situation that feels stressful to one person may be motivating to someone else.

Many of life’s demands can cause stress, particularly work, relationships and money problems. And, when you feel stressed, it can get in the way of sorting out these demands, or can even affect everything you do.

Stress can affect how you feel, think, behave and how your body works. In fact, common signs of stress include sleeping problems, sweating, loss of appetite and difficulty concentrating.

You may feel anxious, irritable or low in self esteem, and you may have racing thoughts, worry constantly or go over things in your head. You may notice that you lose your temper more easily, drink more or act unreasonably.

You may also experience headaches, muscle tension or pain, or dizziness.

Stress causes a surge of hormones in your body. These stress hormones are released to enable you to deal with pressures or threats – the so-called "fight or flight" response.

Once the pressure or threat has passed, your stress hormone levels will usually return to normal. However, if you're constantly under stress, these hormones will remain in your body, leading to the symptoms of stress.

Combat Stress is an ex-Service society which provides support to those of have suffered injury of the mind.